Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — Coinciding with the resumption of work following the Holy Week break, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will hold a dry run of the provincial bus ban Monday.
This means provincial buses are no longer allowed to pick up and unload passengers along the major thoroughfare.
The ban is targeted to begin in June after it has been pushed back several times in the last two years. The MMDA earlier maintained that it will implement the policy despite clamors among commuters.
In line with the ban, the MMDA will also shut down all bus terminals along EDSA. There are 96 bus terminals in Metro Manila, 46 of them are located along the thoroughfare—with many operating in the Cubao area.
Buses have the option to drop off passengers at temporary terminals in Valenzuela City, Paranaque City and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
The government has long been pushing for the relocation of bus terminals away from the cities, and began the construction of several terminals near the northern and southern tips of Metro Manila.
The MMDA sees the entry and exit of buses and other public utility vehicles in terminals along EDSA as a great contributor to traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, the operations of elevated trains in the metro will resume Monday.
The Metro Manila Rail Transit System (MRT-3) implemented its “annual general maintenance shutdown” during the Holy Week, while the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 were available only Monday to Wednesday, April 15 to 17.
READ: LIST: MRT-3, LRT Holy Week schedule
READ: DOTr, MMDA working on new city bus routes
